- A
RF interference or poor signal-to-noise ratio on the affected APs.
Correct because high association failures are often due to RF issues, which DNA Center Assurance can detect and report.
- B
The APs are not running the recommended firmware version.
Why wrong: Incorrect while firmware can cause issues, the APs are registered and functional; association failures are more likely RF-related.
- C
The wireless controller has reached its maximum number of APs.
Why wrong: Incorrect because if the controller were full, APs would not register; the scenario states APs are registered and functional.
- D
The DNA Center Assurance module is not properly configured to monitor wireless events.
Why wrong: Incorrect because the engineer is already seeing association failure data in Assurance, so monitoring is working.
Quick Answer
The answer is RF interference or poor signal-to-noise ratio, as this is the most common cause of wireless client association failures when APs are registered and functional. Cisco DNA Center’s Assurance module correlates client association events with environmental factors, and since the controller confirms the APs are operational, the root cause shifts to Layer 1 issues like co-channel interference, adjacent-channel interference, or a weak signal-to-noise ratio that prevents clients from completing the association handshake. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between RF problems and configuration or authentication issues—a common trap is to immediately suspect RADIUS or VLAN mismatches when the APs are online. Remember that DNA Center highlights RF interference as a top anomaly in its client health dashboards. Memory tip: “APs up, clients stuck? Check the RF muck.”
CCNP Cisco DNA Center Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of cisco dna center. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A network engineer is troubleshooting a wireless connectivity issue in a campus network managed by Cisco DNA Center. The Assurance module shows that several access points have high client association failures. The engineer checks the wireless controller configuration and finds that the APs are registered and functional. What is the most likely cause of the association failures?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
RF interference or poor signal-to-noise ratio on the affected APs.
Cisco DNA Center Assurance can correlate client association failures with RF interference, authentication issues, or configuration mismatches. Since the APs are registered and functional, the issue is likely related to RF interference or signal quality. DNA Center's Assurance can analyze client association events and highlight RF issues as a common cause.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
RF interference or poor signal-to-noise ratio on the affected APs.
Why this is correct
Correct because high association failures are often due to RF issues, which DNA Center Assurance can detect and report.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The APs are not running the recommended firmware version.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect while firmware can cause issues, the APs are registered and functional; association failures are more likely RF-related.
- ✗
The wireless controller has reached its maximum number of APs.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because if the controller were full, APs would not register; the scenario states APs are registered and functional.
- ✗
The DNA Center Assurance module is not properly configured to monitor wireless events.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the engineer is already seeing association failure data in Assurance, so monitoring is working.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Incorrect because if the controller were full, APs would not register; the scenario states APs are registered and functional.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 350-401 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
Cisco DNA Center — This question tests Cisco DNA Center — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: RF interference or poor signal-to-noise ratio on the affected APs. — Cisco DNA Center Assurance can correlate client association failures with RF interference, authentication issues, or configuration mismatches. Since the APs are registered and functional, the issue is likely related to RF interference or signal quality. DNA Center's Assurance can analyze client association events and highlight RF issues as a common cause.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
This 350-401 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-401 exam.
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